I previously criticized the Star-Advertiser and other media for failing to report on labor issues.
But reporters Alan Yonan Jr. and Rob Shikina, writing about the Hawaiian Electric strike in today’s Star-Advertiser, quote unnamed HECO workers on the issues in the labor dispute.
HECO workers said the two sides disagreed on a management proposal to raise the age of retirement with full benefits to 62 from 60; a proposed reduction in sick leave benefits; and a plan to create a two-tier contract with new hires receiving lower wages and benefits. There also was a dispute over whether negotiated wage increases should begin with ratification of a new contract or expiration of the previous contract last October. Neither company nor union officials would confirm the sticking points in the contract talks.
That’s a whole lot of give-backs the company is seeking, and more information than we’ve gotten previously.
Discover more from i L i n d
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
http://www.disappearednews.com/2011/02/hei-compensation-to-executives.html
Unfortunately, the two-tier wage system impacts women more than men as women are far more likely to take extended leaves – six months or more – to raise their children. When they return to work, they often are treated like new hires.
The raise in retirement age sounds too little to me – it should be at least 70.
Without knowing the details of the proposed sick leave benefits, I cannot address that specific issue, but there are plenty of companies around here that offer seven days per year to full-time workers and nothing to people who work less than 40 hours a week.
Wages and benefits continue to stay the same or are diminished. Meanwhile, currency devaluation is the rule of the day with inflation sitting right over the horizon.
In the end, the baby boomer generation will leave a legacy of pure selfishness compared to their parents who sacrificed so much before.
As the boomers retire they will expect the world, and the smaller generations to follow will be screwed over trying to endlessly pay for the boomers. The salaries and benefits will be two bit and diced out under the auspices of the need to be efficient to save corporate and government institutions and the old people.
I’m a boomer and I do not expect to receive any retirement benefits at all because I am not eligible for Social Security and Medicare even though I’ve been paying into the accounts for decades. I need to die before my SigOth because I really cannot imagine what it would be like to sleep under the bridge or in a doorway.